View of the Mosel from the Castle at Cochem

Our journey took from Basel in Switzerland, the city of public sculptures and fountains where we embarked the Amadeus Princess, which took us to the city of Strasbourg where we learned how the local people have lived for centuries with the uncertainty of whether they would be citizens of France one week or citizens of Germany the next. We enjoyed our visit to a family run vineyard where we tasted a few different Alsace wines with a view over the vineyards behind the property. Next stop was Speyer where we found the crypt in the cathedral where many of the kings and emperors of Germany are buried and had a look around the famous university town of Heidelberg with the ruined castle on the hill.

At Rüdesheim we were charmed by the organs and music boxes in the Music Museum before the boat sailed down the stretch of the Middle Rhine that is known for the castles and the Loreley rock, where the beautiful siren’s song may distract the unwary sailor. At Koblenz we found that while Brussels has its Manneken Pis, this town has a fountain of a spitting boy that has become its symbol. A detour along the Mosel river took us to Cochem where we visited another of those picturesque castles on the hill and borrowed bikes from the Amadeus Princess for a cycle along the river. Finally our journey ended in Cologne, where we visited the famous cathedral, with a sweet ending at the chocolate museum. While we had to get back to work, the ship continued to Amsterdam with views of the windmills and a cruise on the city canals.

To enjoy my instagram photo diary below, hover over each photo for my commentary. If can’t see the photos, click here to view them on my blog.

For more stories from our Rhine River Cruise

While I was on our Rhine River Cruise I also posted a daily account of our journey at the Online Travel Journal – Read my 6 part series on Cruising the Rhine.

My thanks to Lüftner Cruises who hosted my Rhine River Cruise – Lüftner Cruises specialise in European river cruises on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône and other destinations in Europe, with personal service and Austrian hospitality. You can also follow them on their Facebook Page. I travelled on the Amadeus Princess on a 7 day Classical Rhine Cruise which travelled from Basel to Amsterdam, although we disembarked at Cologne.

This article by Heather Cowper is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Take a Mud Batth at Dalyan

Get muddy

Mud, mud, glorious mud. There’s nothing quite like it for improving your skin tone and keeping the kids entertained. The area around Dalyan is probably best known for its unique sulphur mud baths. Turks and tourists alike flock to the natural pools to cover themselves in the stuff, and take ridiculous photos, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to wallow in goo.

Go white-water rafting

There’s no family bonding exercise quite as effective as the experience of being utterly terrified together. But don’t worry, in reality, white-water rafting isn’t actually scary when you’re with one of the professional guides that manage the trips in the mountains behind Dalyan. Sign up for an afternoon adventure, and you’re bound to have fun. You might even succeed in exhausting the kids enough that you’ll manage to squeeze in a civilised grown-up evening.

Iztuzu Beach, Daylan

See baby turtles

As if the unspoilt Iztuzu beach wasn’t enough of an attraction by itself, it also plays home to lots of turtles, and even a turtle hospital to look after any poorly ones. If you’re lucky enough to be there at the right time of the year, you’ll get the chance to see the babies on the beach. But in any season, the turtle hospital makes a great visit, with lots of information and enthusiastic staff to teach you and the children all about the life of the native turtles.

Visit 12 islands in a day

This special boat trip leaves from the port of Göcek, just near Dalyan, and fills the day with island hopping. You’ll see all sorts of interesting sights, from caves and coves to mini-islands, and you’ll get plenty of chance to relax, soak up the sun, and appreciate the scenery. Don’t forget your snorkeling gear, as the sea life is well worth investigating. Trips usually include lunch and drinks on the boat, too, so it’s a real stress-free experience.

Rock Tombs of Kaunos, Dalyan

Explore some ancient history

It’s not only history buffs who will appreciate the magnificence of the ancient ruins of Kaunos. The hill top site is accessed by a short boat trip from Dalyan, and a bit of a climb, but it’s worth it. See the rock tombs, a Byzantine basilica, a Roman bath, and the ruins of a large Roman theatre. Then, on the way back down, stop off at one of the little stands lining the path where locals sell lemon and pomegranate juice for a refreshing break.

This article is brought to you by Monarch who offer flights, package holidays, city breaks and hotels to Europe’s top destinations.

More Turkish tales
A sun-soaked coastal holiday on the Turkish Riviera
Visit the Kozak Mountains on a Day Trip from Dikili Turkey
Sightseeing in luxury in Istanbul

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

I spent some time, along with my partner, in the wonderful city of Chiang Mai in Thailand. Between us we had a long list of things that we wanted to do and places that we wanted to see, with seeing elephants being the prime focus of our excitement.

We had spent a lot of time researching into the best places to go in order to spend time with elephants as well as finding out information on how the elephants are treated in the camps. We decided to visit the Dante Elephant Camp which was around an hour drive away from our hotel, Lanna Mantra, and cost us 2,500 Baht ($85) per person. This cost included the journey to and from the camp, a really good lunch, water throughout the day and a full day (9am-5pm) with the elephants.

Elephant ride in Chaing Mai

There are a lot of elephant camps across Chiang Mai and Thailand in general that really don’t treat the animals well. They are often trained to perform for the tourists, underfed and the mahouts (the elephant trainers) can be overly aggressive. The Dante Elephant Camp couldn’t be farther from this. They have a small amount of elephants on-site, around 15-20 in total, that have been taken in after the use of elephants for logging was made illegal 25 years ago (quite rightly so!).

It was clear to see that all of the mahouts on the camp had a very close, intimate bond with the elephants and would treat them with the utmost respect and care. What was also clear to see was that the elephants were all in really high spirits and were allowed to freely roam around the camp without the restrictions of chains. This was particularly good to see.

The journey to the elephant camp

We were picked up from our hotel at around 8am by one of the camp mahouts, and our bumpy journey up through the scenic jungle areas of Chiang Mai lasted for around an hour. In retrospect, the car journey to the camp was probably more treacherous than balancing on top of the elephants through the day!

Once we arrived at the camp we were told to put on some pretty jazzy clothes that essentially consisted of a top that looked like an old rug stitched together and some extremely baggy trousers. Needless to say, we looked pretty funky! It turned out to be quite fortunate that we were wearing these clothes instead of our own as the elephants seemed to have an unrelenting urge to squirt muddy water at us through their trunks. A charming welcome, I thought.

Playing with elephants in Chaing Mai

The first couple of hours were spent with a couple of the mahouts who educated us in the ways of the elephants, spoke to us a bit about the history of the camp and also told us some short commands that the elephants can understand. This was nice to hear because it really assured us and, not least, made us feel comfortable that the mahouts genuinely cared about the welfare of the animals and didn’t just treat them like a tourist commodity. Having said that, the harsh reality is that if they don’t bring in money from tourism then it’s highly unlikely that they will be able to sustain the camp.

Meeting the elephant family

Laura and I were the only ones on the trip so we literally had a free roam of the place without anyone else – which was awesome. I was given the daunting task of being the first to try and get on top of the big bull (oh, and when I say big I mean 3.5m tall big!). The mahouts were pretty good in showing me how ‘easy’ it is to do so, to avoid the risk of being emasculated, I marched up to the big guy, jumped onto his giant leg and, using his ear as a handle, threw myself over his back.

Climbing on the elephant

After some readjusting and a bit of a shaky start, (to say the least) I managed to at least look like I had a clue what I was doing on top of an elephant. At first I was pretty careful where I was putting my hands and how I was sitting, primarily because I didn’t want to hurt the elephant, but once I got into the swing of things I soon realised that my weight was nothing to one of these beasts. Bearing in mind that elephant skin is over 3cm in thickness, you can pretty much grab them anywhere to steady yourself and they will hardly feel it.

After some brief pottering around on the camp, we were ready to go off for a little trek through the forest. Laura was on-board one of the female elephants that was with calf, whilst I was on-board the bull. It was really great going out with the whole elephant family and added to the intimacy of the whole experience. ‘Do-do’ the young calf was like a human toddler; ambling around aimlessly under the close supervision of her mother, she was constantly looking for the next distraction to wander over to. She found particular interest in our shoes at the start of the trip which was really funny – well, it was at least funny for the mahouts as they watched me having to chase after Do-do to get my sodden flip-flop out of her mouth!

Bathing the Elephants in the River

After around 20 minutes of trekking through the forest we stopped by a river so that they elephants could cool off and get a drink. This also gave us the opportunity to grab a bucket and brush in order to give them all a good wash. This was great fun as we got to splash around with the elephants in the water and also get all of the dirt out of their skin.

Bathing an elephant

When we first got to the river, the two adult elephants slowly crept into the water and started to submerge themselves. Once Laura and I had seen that they were in and comfortable we went to get in ourselves. The next thing we know, little Do-do has dived head-first between us and all that could be seen were her four legs up in the air along with her tiny trunk – like I said, just like a little mischievous toddler!

After some splashing around, we let the elephants wander off and share some valuable social time together. It was really amazing to see how maternal the mother is to her calf and you could see that as soon as little Do-do tried to run off and play with some stick that she has just found, Mum was there to reel her in. One thing that I didn’t realise until the mahouts told me was that elephants stay pregnant for around 22 months, so you can see why their bond is so strong.

Mother and baby elephant

Once the elephants had taken in some final slurps of water, we got back on top of them and rode them back to the camp, which was about 15 minutes away. By this point I felt a lot more comfortable and was riding my luck using no hands. That is until the big man decided he wanted to tear down a huge branch from the tree above me and nearly threw me down with it!

Final Impressions of the elephant camp

By the time we arrived back at the camp, both myself and Laura couldn’t quite believe what we had been spending our day doing. It really was a fantastic experience that not many people will have the opportunity of ever doing so I couldn’t recommend it more.

The Dante Elephant Camp that we went to actually brought down a photographer along with us through the trip and took some amazing shots along the way. We then had the chance to look through the photos at the end and pay a small price to get them put on a CD at the end. One of the mahouts also took along our camera and took a load of photos as we went, so they didn’t try to force you into buying the photos at all and we came back with hundreds of shots in the end.

Throwing water to elephants

All in all, a perfect trip. Although it may seem quite expensive at first, the Dante Elephant Camp prides itself in the correct treatment of its animals and it was clear to both me and Laura that this was definitely the case. My advice would be that if you do decide on going with a different camp, make sure that you do your research. I’ve heard of many people coming back upset about the state of the animals and the way they were treated at certain camps and that will just ruin your whole experience. On top of this, it is great to know that your money is going to a good and moral cause.

If you’ve spent any time at one of the many elephant camps in Thailand then let me know by leaving a message in the comments box below. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the differing experiences that people have had that could also provide good advice to other readers.

Many thanks for this article to Matthew Barby, owner of the Melted Stories travel blog. He’s an avid traveller and loves throwing himself into new experiences. Alongside this he has a passion for music, online marketing and is a complete social media addict. You can follow Matt on Twitter and Google+ to hear all of his latest ramblings.

More tales about elephants

Elephants encounters at Chiang Mai – in Thailand
My daughter’s elephant safari in Chitwan, Nepal
An encounter with the Desert Elephants of Namibia

This guest post is originally published by Heather Cowper at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Barcelona Tbidabo Amusment Park

Tibidabo Mountain – more than just the Amusement Park

Take a train from the city centre and then change to the Tramvia Blau tram to take you halfway up the Tibidabo Mountain. Taking a funicular train from the halfway point to the top, you will find the Tibidabo Amusement Park waiting for you on the summit. Before introducing the family to the rides and mayhem inside the gates, take some time to enjoy the gorgeous views of Barcelona from the top of the mountain. There is also a beautiful church to explore at the summit, which is well worth a peek before the amusement park. Take the Tibidabo Sky Walk, which offers stunning surroundings and views, and was the location Woody Allen chose for filming ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’.

The amusement park itself is over a hundred years old, making it one of the oldest in the world. Aside from the obvious theme park attractions: rides, restaurants, picnic sites, Tibadabo Amusement Park also features the curious Automaton Museum, which contains some fascinating examples of late 19th century and early 20th century automata. The exhibits in the museum are in excellent condition and the collection is widely acknowledged as amongst the finest in the world. You can easily spend a full day at the summit of Tibidabo, however don’t lose track of the park closing time or you could face substantial queues for the return journey downhill, or worse, find yourself stranded at the top of a mountain!

Barcelona Cosmocaixa Science Museum

Hands-on science and historical experiences

Barcelona has plenty standard city attractions, such as the aquarium at Port Vell and the nearby IMAX cinema. At the aquarium, children may be able to engage in ‘Sleeping with Sharks’. This is an event where 8-12 year old kids are given the chance to spend the night at the aquarium, following a programme of educational activities. The Cosmocaixa Science Museum features an outstanding recreation of the Amazonian rainforest ecosystem, with piranhas, crocodiles and other animal and plant species. Kids will also go wild for the Museu de la Xocolata (Chocolate Museum), which, alongside learning about chocolate’s cultural and historical impact, features activities and workshops for a more hands-on experience of the sweet stuff!

Poble Espanyol de Montjuic

More out of the ordinary attractions include the fascinating Poble Espanyol, a real village comprising of a range of streets and squares, free of traffic and surrounded by lush greenery. The Poble Espanyol is an open-air museum, with full-scale replicas of 117 buildings from different parts of Spain. The Poble was built on Montjuïc Mountain, for the 1929 International Exhibition. In addition to an engaging experience of authentic Spanish architecture, the Poble Espanyol also comprises over 40 arts and crafts workshops selling one-off signature pieces. The ‘Poble for Kids’ programme organises activities such as performances and interactive workshops for children.

Collserola Tower

To feast kids’ eyes as much as their minds, take them up to the observation deck of the Mirador-Collserola Tower, 560m above sea level. From there, it is possible to see 70km views of Barcelona. However, you will need to pre-book a taxi to get there. It is worth asking your Barcelona airport transfer taxi driver when you arrive about how much they’d charge to get you to the tower. For a short drive, the views make the experience utterly worthwhile.

Barcelona Montjuïc Magic Fountain

Breathtaking views

And, if it’s views you’re after, you could do much worse than visiting the Montjuïc Magic Fountain, at the end of Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina, during one of the famous displays. During the spring and summer, displays take place every Thursday to Sunday night, from 9-11:30pm (Fri and Sat 7-9pm in winter). The displays are absolutely spectacular: moving water jets, lit in a shifting spectrum of colour, synchronised with light and music. Sometimes, the displays are accompanied by large firework displays, making the spectacle all the more breathtaking.

These are just a few ideas for the myriad ways you and your family can enjoy Barcelona. There are few cities in the world as vibrant, safe and engaging as Barcelona, where a new adventure is around every corner.

This article is brought to you by Holiday Taxis and Holiday Transfers, offering top quality airport transfer service from thousands of destinations at an affordable price.

Photo credits: Barcelona Tbidabo by Shaun Woods, Barcelona Cosmocaixa Science Museum by Wojtek Gurak, Poble Espanyol de Montjuic by gadgetdan, Collserola Tower by Oh-Barcelona.com, and Barcelona Montjuïc Magic Fountain by Christian Baudet.

For more info on Barcelona

Montjuïc in Barcelona – the hill that has it all
Barcelona: Portal to the Fantasy World of Gaudi

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Castles on the Rhine

This will be our first river cruise, so I’m keeping an open mind on what to expect, but anticipating that we’ll really enjoy the comforts of the Amadeus Princess which is essentially a floating luxury hotel. I’m looking forward to the gourmet food, the wine tastings and exploring picturesque towns, cities and castles along the Rhine.

Basel where we start our Rhine River Cruise

Our journey starts in Basel in Switzerland before we briefly pass by the French border to at Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region with vineyards lining the banks. Next stop is Speyer with its Romanesque cathedral where many German emperors were buried and Mannheim which had its heyday in the 18th century. Next we’ll stop at Rudesheim with cobbled streets lined with wine houses that I know my husband will enjoy, then we move through a stretch of the Rhine that is known for the castles that overlook the river where we’ll be listening out for the Loreley or siren whose singing might tempt the unwary sailor onto the rocks. Where the Rhine and the Moselle rivers meet we stop at Koblenz, before ending our journey in Cologne where we disembark, although the ship continues on to Amsterdam.

Cabin on the Amadeus Princess

I’ll be posting photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout the cruise using the hashtag #RhineCruiseHC and of course I’ll be writing all about the trip on my return. In the meantime, I tried to find out as much as I could about European cruises, especially on the Rhine and came across these articles that you may also enjoy from other travel bloggers;

The Castle-studded Rhine River video – I enjoyed hearing Rick Steves talking about the medieval castles that line the banks of the Rhine that were built by princes to tax the trade going up and down the river.

10 reasons a river cruise is great for solo travellers – Janice Waugh of the Solo Traveler – Although I prefer to travel with my husband or other family and friends, I think a river cruise is a great option for a woman travelling alone.

Strasbourg, the capital of Christmas – Donna Hull of My Itchy Travel Feet  took a Rhine cruise that followed the same route as ours and enjoyed the festive atmosphere and Christmas markets in Strasbourg.

Seizing the moments of my journey with Viking River Cruise – Jeff Titelius of EuroTravelogue takes a river cruise through the Netherlands, enjoying the windmills and cheesy edam moments.

The Rhine at Cochem

Thanks to Lüftner Cruises who are hosting our Rhine River Cruise and are specialists in European river cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Rhone and other major rivers of Europe

All photos provided by Lüftner Cruises

This article by Heather Cowper is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

I hope you enjoy the video below about our 48 hours in Budapest

If you can’t see the video above, view it on my blog here or on Youtube here
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For such a short trip, I think the choice of a hotel can really make or break the experience, so after reviewing the many hotel options on the Avios website, we decided to go for 5 star Intercontinental Hotel. This classy hotel combines location and luxury and is perfectly positioned on the banks of the Danube, close to most of the main sites of Budapest.

Spring is in the air at the Intercontinental Budapest

The bedroom window framed a postcard view of the Royal Palace on the Castle Hill, so it seemed obvious to make this the first area to explore. A brisk walk across the Chain Bridge and we found ourselves at the foot of the hill, in front of the funicular which is more of a tourist attraction than something that the locals use. I guess it’s one of those try-it-once kind of things, but a little expensive at 1000 HUF (£2.90) or 1700 HUF (£4.90) return for the 5 minute journey. I’d already tried-it-once on my previous visit, so instead we decided to climb the easy paths that run up the hill. Once at the top, we followed the stone steps to the wrought iron gates that guard the Royal Palace and found ourselves in a wide paved square, beside the upper funicular station.

The Funicular up to Castle Hill, Budapest

The Castle Hill

At the top of the hill the views from the balustrade towards the Pest side of the city and down the Danube were spectacular. In front of the Sandor Palace we watched the soldiers marching back and forth and stamping to attention, as they guarded the residence of the Hungarian President. It was pretty chilly, so we kept moving along the cobble street that runs along the top of the hill towards the St Matthias Church.

View from Castle Hill, Budapest

On our last visit in the summer a couple of years before, the family had decided to let me look around the St Matthias church alone, and sat in a shady cafe just opposite while I went inside. The church interior was surprisingly colourful with painted frescoes and pillars in rich shades of red and ochre. I recalled hearing somewhere, that many Medieval churches had paintwork that was far more colourful than the bare grey stonework that we see today. I loved the multicoloured tiled roof of the church which is not the original, but was replaced when the church was restored after shelling in the Second World War.

St Matthias church and the Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest

In front of the church is the Fisherman’s Bastion, a fantasy colonnade of turrets and arches, built at the end of the 19th century as a monument to the Guild of Fishermen. Here we found more spectacular views towards the Hungarian Parliament Building on the opposite side of the river, built on a similar design to the Houses of Parliament in London. In summer when we were here, there were open air cafes set up on the battlements and in the arcades, and I listened to the gypsy violinists playing Hungarian folk music for the customers, giving everyone outside a free concert. In February it was far from balmy, so we warmed up in the nearby Ruszwurm Cukrászda cafe over a coffee and slice of strudel.

Heather encounters a Hungarian Policeman in Budapest

St Stephen’s Basilica

Back on the other side of the river we walked from the Intercontinental to St Stephen’s Basilica, another major landmark of Budapest, with a dome that dominates the skyline. We had a browse around the souvenir shops in the square and the side streets near the Cathedral which are full of little restaurants and bars, making this a good area to eat out (we tried the Strudel House later that evening). We decided to return to the cathedral for Mass the following Sunday morning and afterwards had a look around the Basilica, which is named after King Stephen I, the first king of Hungary who brought Christianity to his country. Canonised after his death, the saint’s mummified hand is displayed in one of the chapels  of the Basilica and is paraded every year on St Stephen’s Day (20 August) which is a national holiday.

St Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest

Later that afternoon we walked along Andrassy Avenue, an elegant boulevard with shops selling all the top international brands. We passed by the State Opera House, which I would also have loved to visit, on our way to 60 Andrassy Avenue, now known as The House of Terror.

House of Terror in Budapest

The House of Terror

This museum was once the headquarters of the Hungarian Nazis and until the 1950s housed the communist state terror organisations, where suspects were brought to be interrogated, tortured and executed in the bleak basement prison cells. The museum gives a fascinating insight to how the Hungarian population suffered under Nazi and later communist rule, and is a monument to the victims of terror.

Inside the foyer, we were greeted by a black and white wall of the faces of the victims who suffered here, together with a tank trapped within the inner courtyard, reflecting in a shallow pool of dark water. On the upper floors we passed through a series of exhibition rooms with films and videos showing marching armies and care worn faces of old men and women telling their stories of evacuation, deportation and oppression under the communist regime. The tour ended with a slow descent in the lift down to the basement to a video commentary about the process of execution and then we walked past the cold prison cells. Our visit to the House of Terror was a stark but fascinating and compelling experience that I would highly recommend if you want to understand Hungary’s recent history.

The House of Terror in Budapest

The No 2 Tram

If you want a low cost sightseeing tour, jump on the No 2 tram that runs along the river and stops outside the Intercontinental Hotel. In one direction the tram will take you past the Hungarian Parliament Building to Margaret Bridge and Margaret Island, where we enjoyed an afternoon dip in the open air Palatine Baths on our summer visit. In the other direction, the tram will take you towards the Central Market and Liberty Bridge which you cross to reach the Gellért Baths. You just need to stop at a convenience store to buy a book of tram tickets, which you validate on the tram each time you use one.

The No 2 Tram in Budapest

The Gellért  Baths

On Sunday afternoon after Mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral and an elegant brunch at The New York Cafe, we took the tram to the Gellért Baths for that quintessential Budapest spa experience. This is one thing that’s equally fun in summer or winter; in summer the outdoor pools and terraces are open, while in the winter you can linger in the steamy Turkish baths with sauna and heated pools. The baths are part of the Gellért Hotel, but if you enter at the side, you’ll come straight into the glass domed foyer to buy your ticket at the kiosk. You’ll be given a rubber wrist band with a magnetic disc which gets you through the turnstiles and opens your changing cubicle where you can leave your clothes and belongings securely locked up.

The Gellért Baths in Budapest

In the central bath you need to wear a swimming cap, but in the other heated pools this is not required. There’s a small heated pool next to the larger one but at the far and of the baths from the entrance you’ll find heated Turkish baths and saunas as well as treatment cubicles on both side of the building. It’s worth checking which day to go as it seems that on some days, the two identical Turkish baths are segregated into male and female, while on other days all areas are mixed. Last time my parents came to Budapest and tried the Gellért Baths, they were directed to different changing rooms and spent some time wandering around, trying to find each other again. We had a good couple of hours trying out all the pools – our favourite was the beautifully tiled Turkish bath and we braved a run up the cold stone steps to the outdoor pool, which was thankfully heated once we got in. Bring your own swimsuit, towel and cap, as these seemed relatively expensive to hire, and flip flops are also useful to keep your feet off the cold and sometimes grubby floor.

The Gellért Baths in Budapest

The Central Market

On our final morning, we took the No 2 tram again to the Central Market which I’d also visited on my previous trip. The large, glass roofed indoor market is great to walk around and admire all the fresh fruit and veg, as well as the many stalls specialising in meat products of sausages and goose live pate. There were also as a large number of stalls just devoted to selling all kinds of Paprika products, the favourite spice of Hungary.

The Central Market, Budapest

Upstairs there are stall selling handicrafts and souvenirs and this is a good place to come to buy small gifts to take home, such as the painted eggs that I’ve been collecting to bring out at Easter or hang from my Christmas tree. Along one side there are also a number of food stalls selling snacks and beer. You might like to try the Lángos which is a typical Hungarian street food; a kind of flat doughnut that’s served with many different sweet and savoury toppings, but traditionally spread with cream cheese with a sprinkling of grated cheese.

The Central Market, Budapest

After lunch at the Central Market it was time to head back to the hotel to pick up our bags and take our taxi to the airport. We’d packed a lot in to our 48 hours in Budapest, revisited some old haunts and made new discoveries, had fun in the process, but still left plenty to uncover for next time.

More things to enjoy in Budapest

Folk art and Paprika – my souvenirs of Budapest
Memento Park – Icon’s of Budapest’s communist past
Luxury and Location – our spring break at the Intercontinental Budapest

Avios is an easy way to collect points at the places you shop online everyday, when you buy fuel or spend on your credit card. Then you can exchange the points for a flight, hotel, holiday or fun day out with your family. There’s plenty of inspiration on the Avios website to start planning your next citybreak. You can follow Avios on Twitter @AviosUK or on their AviosUK Facebook page and see some flying lawnmowers on the Avios YouTube channel

Through Avios we booked the luxurious 5 star Intercontinental Hotel Budapest which was perfectly positioned beside the Danube for sightseeing. The hotel has a lovely spa with a pool for those early morning swims as well as relaxing treatments. The hotel can be booked using your Avios Points and a room similar to ours at the time that we were there in February was around 15,000 Avios points or £150-180 per room/night including breakfast but may be higher in peak season. It’s worth looking out for packages that include breakfast and use of the exclusive Club Lounge. You can follow the Intercontinental Budapest on Twitter @ICBudapest and on their Intercontinental Budapest Facebook Page.

Thanks to Avios and Intercontinental Budapest for hosting our 48 hours in Budapest.

www.flickr.com heatheronhertravels’ Budapest – Spring 2013 photoset

This article by Heather Cowper is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Phat Phuc Noodle bar

Phat Phuc Noodle Bar, Chelsea

Get your mind out of the gutter; this is not the haunt of some grammatically-challenged chav. For those of us that are cultured and/or fluent in Vietnamese, Phat Phuc (pronounced as it’s spelled) translates to Happy Buddha. And very happy you’ll be once you’ve tasted this delicious Vietnamese food from this fantastic outdoor canteen. Pho noodle soup, a traditional Vietnamese dish, is the plat du jour. It’s a rich and nutritious broth packed with as much flavour as there are vitamins. So swing by, chow down and bon appetit, or more specifically chúc mọi người ăn ngon miệng if you’re Vietnamese.

The Seagrass Restaurant

The Seagrass, Islington

What’s a trip to London without sampling some traditional tucker from the capital? The Seagrass in Islington is a trendy little jaunt that’s affectionately adapted into somewhat of a semi-permanent pop-up. What’s more, it’s BYOB. Yes, that’s ‘bring your own bottle’, a notion often unheard of in today’s society of house wine and meal deals. So nab your favourite bottle of plonk, pull up a pew and enjoy some gorgeous gourmet food with a cockney infusion.

Fillets of sea bass at Upstairs, Brixton

Upstairs Bar and Restaurant, Brixton

A delectable little bijou bar and restaurant, Upstairs is simply wonderful and an absolute must when wanting to enjoy super sumptuous food in the capital. This gastronomic taste sensation takes place in a fantastically designed little flat in London’s trendy Brixton. The food is seasonal and a new menu is selected every two weeks. It can be a little pricey, but every calorie of your meal is worth every single penny you splurge. Be sure to book ahead though as this tremendously tiny treasure is becoming increasingly popular.

Fifteen Street Eats, Hoxton

It seems that most celebrity chefs have trendy restaurants dotted all over the place, like The Fat Duck by Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen to name but a few. Of course you can’t mention TV chefs without the excitable Jamie Oliver, where his amazing Fifteen has long been a hip and happening eatery for yuppies and trendsetters alike. However, the thrifty and not so cool aren’t to be neglected, as you can enjoy Jamie Oliver’s famous pucker tucker for just £5 at Fifteen Street Eats, Monday to Friday at Westland Place. This is the ideal way to grab that gastro-winter-warmer when lunch is on the go!

Lunch at Jamie’s Fifteen

Paul Rothe & Son, Marylebone

This deli-come-café-come-grocery-store has been under the patronage of the Rothe family for  four generations; a family business that’s been running for over one hundred and twelve years. With an air of pleasant nostalgia and a fond homage to days gone by, the shopkeepers wear white overalls, the shelves are stacked with delicious jams and condiments and customer service is second to none, all of which make this exceptional eatery a charming little find in the heart of busy London. The father and son are reputedly ever-welcoming and known amongst the local community for being especially helpful and most accommodating to their patrons. When in the area, pop in, say hello and enjoy a perfect spot of tea and a caramel slice.

Paul Rothe & Son

Many thanks for these quirky alternatives brought to you by Show & Stay, the UK’s best site for theatre breaks in London.

Photo credits: The Seagrass Restaurant, Upstairs, Brixton by linniekin, Jamie’s Fifteen by Eilam Gil, and Paul Rothe & Son by tiredoflondon, Phat Phuc noodle bar by Mirca23

More delicious food articles:

Veggie delights – Four favourite vegetarian restaurants in Brighton
From Cold War Canteen to Literary Salon – Five great places to eat out in Budapest
A guide to savouring the food of Cyprus

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

For adventure travellers – the Peli ProGear U100 Elite Backpack

What is it?

The Peli ProGear U100 Elite  is a day pack sized backpack with a carrying capacity of 16 litres. More than enough room for use as a weekend bag to include some clothes or tech accessories, or for your commute to work including maybe some gym kit. On the other hand, if your job entails it, you could jump out of a plane and into some of the more hostile environments on earth with just some survival essentials packed away.

This bag is designed to handle a lot. The feature that separates this bag from other, more run of the mill daypacks, is the integrated compartment constructed from ABS thermoplastic, which is both watertight and crushproof. This has interior dimensions of 39.3 x 26.7 x 3.8cm – meaning it will fit everything up to a 15” laptop, and some 17” Apple models, such as the Mac Book Pro. Said part of the case is wholly separate from the other three compartments, and carries the promise that you can immerse it in water up to a metre in depth for 30 minutes without problems, plus it is designed to withstand crushing, heat and dust, with an IP rating of 67. Not sure what that means? An IP67 rating means the compartment is totally protected against dust, and is protected against the effect of immersion between 15cm and 1m (presumable also less than 15cm!) for up to half an hour, guaranteed.

Unfortunately I couldn’t find out quite how much crushing or heat it is designed to stand up to. ABS thermoplastic generally has an operating temperature range of –20 to +80 C, so this should be able to take quite a bit, and it certainly seems incredibly solid and able to withstand a fair amount of rough and tumble. This is one solid feeling bit of kit.

Laurence Norah tries out the Peli ProGear U100 Elite Backpack

Other features

The laptop compartment is very easy to get into and out of, with a TSA approved top loading latch to access it. The compartment also comes with a number of foam inserts so you can ensure your laptop has a snug fit. This backpack offers more than just that solidly built compartment. As well as a main compartment for your bits and pieces, there is also a front pocket which features an impact resistant design – a solid polypropylene cover providing the protection in this case. This is labelled as being designed for tablets, but in testing I found that it was large enough to take anything up to a 12.5 inch ultrabook. This part of the pack also features numerous zippable pockets and areas where cords, cables, or other accessories could be stored for easy access. It’s well thought out and a real bonus section.

On the side of the pack there is a “hidden compartment”, which when unzipped reveals a mesh water bottle container. This is another nice feature to have – you can carry water if you want to, but if you don’t, you don’t have mesh sticking out of the side of your bag to snag on the environment. Between the front impact resistant tablet section and the larger “clothing” compartment, there is another top accessible compartment which is more shallow than the other areas and ideal for storing things you want to get at more quickly – maybe a water bottle or emergency poncho. You never know!

Peli ProGear U100 Elite Backpack Photo with waterproof laptop compartment

So that’s a total of four separate compartments, and a side pocket for the water. What else does this pack offer?
Well, the main body of the pack is constructed from 1000 Denier Kodra Nylon, which is tough and water resistant. It has a rubber handle at the top of the pack for when you don’t want to sling it on your back, and the bottom features expandable sling storage for say a roll mat.

The last couple of features focus on comfort – the back is curved to fit your back and naturally has foam padding and air channels to keep you cool, plus there is a strap for the sternum to help with managing the load.

Peli ProGear U100 Elite Backpack – take your laptop on an adventure

Putting it to the test

The main feature of the pack is of course the waterproof compartment. To see how this stood up to testing, I decided to sacrifice my venerable Samsung NC10 netbook, popped it in the compartment, and chucked the bag in the bath, which in my case is around half a metre deep. I left out the bubbles. After half an hour, the bag was retrieved, with everything soaked through apart from that compartment, and my netbook ready to face another day. Bath 0, PeliPro U100, 1. I’m confident that in normal usage, such as a rainstorm, or a river crossing (river crossings are part of your normal day, right?), this compartment would stay dry.

As a backpack, the Peli ProGear U100 Elite is certainly comfortable, with that curved back really creating a snug fit. The only problem is weight – by itself the pack weighs nearly 4kg, or 8lbs. Once I added in some gear, it was certainly quite a load on my back. Manageable, but I’m not sure I’d want to be hiking for prolonged periods with that much weight strapped to me, although it would be fine on a bicycle or motorbike.

Things to consider

As mentioned above, this pack is no lightweight. The main feature – that laptop compartment – adds a fair bit of weight to the pack. So unless you are fairly strong, it might not be ideal for prolonged use. The other thing to remember is that whilst the water and crush proof compartment is, well, water and crush proof, the rest of the pack isn’t. So if you immerse it in water, or drive a truck over it, only the compartment itself will remain safe. The rest of the pack is water resistant, so a rain shower will be fine, but it likely won’t fare so well in other scenarios This may seem obvious, but it’s one to bear in mind.

Peli ProGear U100 Elite Backpack takes a walk in the woods

Our recommendation

If you have a laptop that you absolutely must cart around with you, and don’t want to invest in one of those insanely expensive ruggedized laptops that are often underpowered, then this pack is the answer. It would be ideal for use on a motorbike, or on a cycle commute to work – although you’d want to get a proper rain cover for it so the rest of your stuff doesn’t get soaked through. Also, if you are going into the back country, and are planning on taking expensive equipment with you, then this bag could be a saviour when you find yourself facing a river crossing, bear attack or unexpected downpour.

For longer term travel, the weight would be a definite consideration. If you need superior protection for your kit though, I’m happy to recommend the Peli ProGear U100 Elite Backpack – it may not be a cheap piece of kit, with a retail price of over £200 or $300, but considering the value of what you are likely to be putting in it, it could easily pay back the investment should anything untoward happen.

For more information about the Peli range of waterproof backpacks and cases for your next adventure visit the Peli ProGear website. Peli ProGear kindly gave us a sample for this review.

Our guest reviewer, Laurence Norah is a traveller, writer and photographer, who spends much of his time musing on his travel and photography blog: Finding the Universe. He’s happiest behind his camera viewfinder on top of a mountain, or enjoying a chilled beer somewhere. If you bump into him, say hi, and steer him away from the edge! You can also find him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Photo Credit: All photos by Laurence Norah of FindingtheUniverse.com

This guest review is originally published by Heather Cowper at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

It has been a year since I moved outside of Las Vegas to the sleepy town of Boulder City, Nevada. When I heard that my family, little ones included, was set to arrive in Vegas for a week, I thought I was more than qualified to play tour guide. I lived in Las Vegas for thirty years and thought I knew everything the city had to offer and more. One week later and my adventure took me to the best-unknown spots that Sin City could offer. I was more amazed than my guests because I had lived there. Las Vegas has this mystique about it. It is a city of legendary tales and also legends that headline! After my week in Las Vegas, I had discovered more about the city from a traveler’s perspective than I did living there. Most notable? That Las Vegas is extremely kid-friendly.

Red Rock Canyon, near Las Vegas

Scenic beauty at Red Rock

The family wanted an affordable and unpopular activity. They didn’t want to be crammed into a smoky casino with tons of other tourists, so we piled into two cars and headed west! Only a half hour away from Las Vegas is a beautiful natural display of amber colored mountains. The road to Red Rock is mostly desert. There are enough people on the road, so don’t expect to feel completely isolated. I had only been to Red Rock once and that was years ago. Now, Red Rock had its own visitor’s center and a drive through route for people who don’t like to hike or have mobility challenges. The route is a total of thirteen miles and well worth the cost – yes, you are charged a small fee per car. The sites are amazing and so are the photo opps. You can pull the car over to the side of the road and take photos with the family and/or with the scenery! The only misgiving of this adventure was the gift shop. Everyone was trying to get into the restroom at once so I advise packing a little patience on this short road trip.

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, near Las Vegas

Relaxing in the desert

Our family spent the next couple of days touring Las Vegas’ amazing desert landscape. We stopped at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. Howard Hughes once owned this 520 acre ranch, which is now opened to the public. We spent the afternoon having a picnic and enjoying the trees, which are over 400 years old! The older children in our group took themselves on a self-guided tour of the ranch house’s interior. There were also plenty of volunteers around to help us figure out what trees and bushes were from what lineage. The ranch is a great way for the family to spend an afternoon without spending a lot of money. The best part is that it is only fifteen miles outside of Las Vegas. Bring a light jacket since the ranch is higher in elevation which made it about ten degrees colder when we arrived at the picnic area.

Howard Hughes Home at Spring Mountain Ranch

Native American history

One of the last natural Las Vegas adventures we took was to the Valley of Fire. We spent a night camping here. You are missing out on all Las Vegas has to offer if you don’t stop here. The Valley of Fire boasts 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyphs and it is only 36 dollars to camp per family! Yes, pets are allowed. The Valley of Fire was only an hour drive outside of Vegas. It is exactly 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15. I am not the world’s greatest camper, but I was excited to see shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms were readily available. There are numerous natural rock formations at the Valley of Fire. The kids all loved the different stories behind each formation. We picked up a few brochures to guide us from the visitor’s center. I would say the kids loved the White Domes the best. These formations were only a five minute drive from the visitor’s center. We walked, so it took a little longer. I would have to say if you could only chose between Red Rock, Spring Mountain Ranch or the Valley of Fire adventure, go with Valley of Fire. It is so breathtaking! All the kids had a wonderful time – as did the adults!

Valley of Fire near Las Vegas

Classic Las Vegas showmanship

When we did head back to Las Vegas, our group decided to see the Penn and Teller show at The Rio. I was told this would be a great show for little kids. Of course, a ticket salesperson sold me this line. I would say use your own discretion. The show is fantastic. But there are lots of loud noises and the magic duo shoot a prop gun at the end which can be scary. If your children are sensitive and under age eight, I would hold off. The best part of this show (besides the locals discount) was the meet and greet at the end. Penn and Teller patiently stand outside the theatre and sign tickets or take photos with everyone who was at the show. This is a really nice thing for them to do considering another Vegas show charges a hundred dollars per person for the exact same experience!

My Vegas family adventure went on for several more days. I learned about artwork and gluten-free restaurants that I didn’t know existed. I discovered that Las Vegas has many more kid-friendly concessions than I originally thought or knew about, and I found that being a tourist in Sin City (or on the outskirts) is a wonderful thing that can be experienced with family or when visiting solo!

Many thanks for this article to Helene Vece who regularly writes for Vegaskids.info. She has lived in Las Vegas for 35 years, raised her kids in Las Vegas and for the last few years has been taking her grandchildren on daytrips or weekend trips to Las Vegas.

Photo credits: All photos belong to Vegaskids.info

Other family friendly experiences

A short drive around Texas Hill Country
Calgary’s family spirit for fun with the kids
9 cool things we did in Austin, Texas

This guest article is originally published by Heather Cowper at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

The great thing about arriving by ferry is that you have the luxury of your own transport right from the start. Although it is possible to hire a car, many hire car companies don’t allow you to take their cars on to the ferries, so do check beforehand.

Harbour of Saint Malo, France

Booking a ferry is simple and can be done online. However, ferry ticket prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year and availability. Generally though, prices are cheaper when booking in advance, whether directly with ferry company or through one of the comparison websites.

Historical Fort National

Once you have loaded your car up with all of the holiday gear you need, you can recuperate on your crossing to the ancient city of St. Malo. Arriving at the wonderful old port as travellers have done over hundreds of years, it is easy to see why St. Malo is still popular today. As an important coastal town many of the tourist attractions are based around its pirate history and the sea. The popular Fort National was constructed in 1689 on the orders of King Louis XIV to protect the port of St. Malo. Though it may not have the most in facilities, it definitely has wow factor. You will enjoy the guided tours, but the best feature is its location and the far reaching views that you can enjoy from its ramparts across the bay and the old town.

The National Fort from Saint Malo

Rich maritime history

The castle of Saint-Malo, east of the town, was built by the Dukes of Brittany and later sold to the king of France. It has since been restored, damaged, restored and further damaged right up until the liberation of St. Malo during WWII. There are plenty of displays to see including maritime artifacts, but the best part of the visit for many is the view from the tower.

St. Malo is also famous for being the location of the world’s first tidal power station. This attracts around 200,000 visitors each year who are interested in viewing the lock in the west end of a dam which allows the passage of 16,000 vessels between the English Channel and the Rance.

Rempart, St Malo

Saint-Malo Cathedral

Another wonderful place to go in St. Malo is the Catholic cathedral of Saint-Vincent-de-Saragosse de Saint-Malo. The cathedral is a national monument of France and formerly the seat of the Bishop of Saint-Malo. Many visitors point out that is not dissimilar to Notre Dame in Paris. The best time to visit is early in the day when the light streams through the lovely stained glass window and the whole building does tend to become a little dark later in the day.

St Malo Cathedral in Brittany

St. Malo can be a great place to visit if you are on a short trip to France, but it is also somewhere that you can leave behind as you move on to other interesting areas of Brittany, a region that enjoys sunny weather warmed by the Gulf Stream and the occasional windy season, enjoyed by wind surfers from around the world. For more information about St. Malo we suggest you visit the Official St. MaloTourist Office.

This article is brought to you by Ferryonline.co.uk who specialise in offering tickets at low prices for all the popular ferry routes in Europe.

Photo credits: Rempart, St Malo by Pline, St Malo Cathedral by graham chandler, other photos by Ferryonline.

More tales from Brittany
Living on holiday all year round in Brittany
Gone fishing for crabs on the Ile de Houat
How to prepare a crab à la Française

This article by is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Rifugio Elena on the Tour de Mont Blanc

By 8am we were putting on our walking boots outside the door, with the refuge in shadow as the sun started to rise over the jagged peaks of Grand Col Ferret, the pass between Switzerland and Italy, that we’d crossed the afternoon before. The rough path now took us downhill, alongside a stream that was headed to join the river Po and eventually end up in the Adriatic.

The Grand Col Ferret from the Italian side

In less than an hour we reached the bottom of the valley where there was a car park beside the river and stopped for a coffee at the very pleasant Chalet Val Ferret , a small hotel with restaurant and garden cafe. In the cosy bar I ordered a cappuccino, Julia a cafe con latte and we shared a slice of local torte, filled with sweet fruit puree scattered with pine nuts and a lattice of pastry across the top. A large guided group of Americans came in just as we were leaving for a quick coffee and bathroom stop, before heading in the direction that we’d come, towards Grand Col de Ferret. I didn’t envy them, knowing that they had a long, arduous day ahead of them, while we had a relatively easy one.

Chalet Val Ferret on the Tour de Mont Blanc in Italy

The muddy track snaked up behind the Chalet Val Ferret, through rather unattractive scrub, but once we got above the treeline the views opened out on the hillside. It was an easy, open path with fabulous views and I could count four or five glaciers on the opposite side of the valley, hanging below the rocky peaks. By late morning our side of the valley was bathed in sunshine and every so often we played hop scotch across a stream, that carved a channel of grey stone through the grassy green of the hillside.

Stopping for lunch above Val Ferret on the Tour de Mont Blanc

After walking a couple of hours from Val Ferret, the balcony path gave us a grandstand view from one end of the valley to the other and the peak of Mont Blanc itself was in sight. Whenever we stopped for a break, we could hear the crickets chirping among the scrub and wildflowers, with butterflies flitting between silver thistles and patches of purple flowers.

Above Val Ferret on the Tour de Mont Blanc, Italy

We passed a mule coming the other way, laden down with baggage in support of a small group of walkers. Each walker had their belongings in a red cylinder bag and they were all being unloaded for a lunchtime stop. We continued a little further before we found our perfect picnic place, eating the local sausage and cheese we’d brought with us, with chili flavoured olives and bread that was getting a bit stale. Our view was of grey mountain peaks and glaciers backed by a blue sky, while from the bottom of the valley we could hear the river rushing and see it snaking along the river bed of shale.

The Mule carries the walker’s baggage on the Tour de Mont Blanc

By mid afternoon we rounded a spur and saw villages in the valley stretching out before us, while just beyond a group of old ruined buildings was Rifugio Walter Bonatti. Another half an hour and we were on the sunny terrace of the refuge, joining the walkers who had come up from the valley on a day hike and those who were walking the Tour de Mont Blanc. We left our rucksacks in our room, exchanged our walking boots for slippers provided by the refuge and sat outside to bask in the late afternoon sun, backs against the stone wall with a cold beer in hand. Even though today’s path had been undemanding, it felt like the perfect reward for our day’s walk on the Tour de Mont Blanc.

To be continued ….

Heather at Refuge Bonatti in Italy on the Tour de Mont Blanc

More tales from the Tour de Mont Blanc

The Tour de Mont Blanc Diaries Day 1 – Champex Lac to Ferret and a walk in the woods
The Tour de Mont Blanc Diaries Day 2 – Ferret to Rifugio Elena and over the pass to Italy
Last year’s walk on the Tour de Mont Blanc – video diary

www.flickr.com heatheronhertravels’ Tour de Mont Blanc 2012 photoset

Resources for walking the Tour de Mont Blanc

We started this day’s walk from Rifugio Elena in Italy where we had a twin room with en suite bathroom which cost €57.50 per person including dinner and breakfast. The Refuge has room for 130 people in both dormitory accommodation and private en suite twin rooms. There is an e-mail address given on the website but we did not get any response to our e-mail reservation request and learned that it is better to telephone as their e-mail is down in the valley. Staff at Rifugio Elena speak Italian, French and some English. Tel (+39) 0165844688

We ended this day’s walk at Rifugio Walter Bonatti, named after the famous Italian climber, which was one of the nicest refuges we stayed at during the whole of our Tour de Mont Blanc walk and is highly recommended. Due to its popularity, you are advised to book this refuge in advance. The Refuge has a domitory and private twin rooms  and we paid €58 per person per night including dinner and breakfast, for a private twin room with the shared bathroom just across the corridor. The refuge can be booked by e-mail info@rifugiobonatti.it and by telephone (+39) 0165 869055. Follow the Rifugio Bonatti Facebook Group

My jacket and walking trousers were provided by outdoor clothing specialist, Ellis Brigham who have a wide range of mountain clothing and walking gear you might need for a trek on the mountains, which are available both through their website and UK stores.

We used the Cicerone Tour of Mont Blanc guide by Kev Reynolds - we found it to be an excellent guide for both the clockwise and anti-clockwise route with detailed route guide, maps, accommodation information and points of interest along the route.

This article by Heather Cowper is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

On our recent spring break in Budapest with Avios, we had our fair share of strolling the famous boulevards of Váci utca and Andrássy út, lined with designer names and top international brands. But my heart was in those folk-art gift shops, sifting through the striped woven table cloths and cut felt cushions, thinking about the work of some lady in the Hungarian steppes, who might be using skills that she learned from her grandmother.

Budapest is full of tempting and original souvenirs to buy, so here are some of the things to look out for when you visit;

Pretty painted eggs in Budapest

Traditional Hungarian Folkart

As we were there just before Easter, I was drawn to these baskets of pretty painted eggs with colourful Hungarian motifs. The gift shop in the square of St Stephen’s Basilica had a great selection of these and other traditional Hungarian crafts. I bought a few in pinks and creams to hang up at Easter and one in red and gold to come out again at Christmas to hang on my tree. These painted eggs are perfect to hang from silver twigs or spring branches in a vase to decorate the house at Easter. I also saw some beautiful dyed and patterned real eggs in intricate patterns in the Central Market where the food stalls were downstairs and the handicrafts and souvenirs upstairs.

In the main shopping area we enjoyed looking round the Folkart Kézművészház shop that was full of textiles, red and white woven cloths and cut felt designs from the Hungarian steppes as well as hand embroidered blouses and table cloths.

Folkart Kézművészház, 1052 Budapest Régiposta utca 12

Folkart Kézművészház shop selling Hungarian crafts in Budapest

A modern twist on Hungarian crafts

The distinctive Hungarian embroidery designs cropped up again at Fian Koncept, a shop that we discovered along the road from Ruszwrum Cukrasda where we’d been having coffee after looking around the Fisherman’s Bastion. This store was packed with souvenirs and gifts that are modern interpretations of the traditional designs. Here I bought a gold leather purse with colourful Hungarian motifs by Gabriella Lukács and admired the embroidered zip bags that would make a great sponge bag or even a clutch. The owner offered us some dried apple from Fruitfull.hu which seems to be a local speciality and I also bought a red embossed notebook from Szia! for my travel notes. I loved the way that Hungarian motifs had been used on all sorts of desirable objects from Cinq Filles scented candles, to Hungarian gift cards from Moha Design; you can see some beautiful examples on the Fian Concept Facebook Page.

Fian Concept H-101 Budapest, Uri u. 26-28

Souvenirs at Fian Koncept, folk art in Budapest

Hand-painted Herend Porcelain

Herend is the world famous porcelain of Hungary and you can’t go too far in Budapest without seeing the classic, handpainted plates and ornaments. My parents used to collect Herend and gave me some years ago a beautiful plant holder that I kept on my mantelpiece, without realising the Budapest connection. If you are a serious collector, you need to watch out for fakes and be sure to buy from the Herend stores or from a registered stockist, and you should be given a little card of authenticity with your purchase. We passed the Herend Store on Andrássy út with this enormous painted lion which was far to big to bring home in the suitcase so instead my sister bought my mother a pretty little heart shaped dish to put on her dressing table.

Herend, 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 16

Painted Porcelain lion at the Herend Shop in Budapest

Honey and candles

Walking under a covered arcade near the Intercontinental Hotel where we were staying, we spotted a small shop selling honey and beeswax products. There were all kinds of ornamental beeswax candles on sale as well as jars of local honey and some pretty decorative biscuits. They seemed to be keepsakes to give to that special person in your life, and as Valentine’s day had just been and gone, I wondered if they were just for Valentine’s day or sold all year round. The pretty heart biscuits were a more refined version of the decorated gingerbread that is sold in Christmas markets, more for display than eating.

Mehzi, Budapest 5th District, Erzsebet Square 1 (under the arcades)

Honey, beeswax candles and heart biscuits in Budapest

Paprika, Sausages and Palinka

For edible souvenirs, we went to the Central Market where the downstairs is full of stalls selling more variations of paprika than you could possibly imagine. On other stalls, cured sausages hang in rows, flavoured with paprika and other spices, ready for you to add to a rich, hearty Hungarian stew. Another speciality is the goose live pate sold in small tins at all the meat stalls. If you want to drink the flavour of Hungary try a glass of Palinka in one of the restaurants you visit – it’s a strong spirit that’s flavoured with fruits such as cherry, strawberry and apricot. When I tried a sip at the Strudel House after dinner, it made my eyes water – I can see why it’s traditionally drunk in the morning to wake you up!

Great Market Hall, 1093 Budapest, Vámház körút 1-3

Sausages, Paprika and edible souvenirs at the Central Market, Budapest

If you love to look and shop at beautiful handicrafts and textiles you’ll find plenty to buy in Budapest – enjoy looking and bring a little piece of Budapest home with you.

If you’ve been to Budapest, what were you tempted to buy as a souvenir?

More things to enjoy in Budapest

From Cold War Canteen to Literary Salon – Five great places to eat out in Budapest
Just back from Budapest – my photo diary
Memento Park – Icon’s of Budapest’s communist park

We booked our Budapest spring break through Avios, who offer ways to earn points at the places you shop everyday, that you can convert into a flight, hotel or holiday. There’s plenty of inspiration on the Avios website to start planning your next weekend escape and you can follow Avios on Twitter @AviosUK or on their AviosUK Facebook page and see some flying lawnmowers on the Avios YouTube channel

Through Avios we booked the luxurious 5 star Intercontinental Hotel Budapest which was perfectly positioned beside the Danube for sightseeing. The hotel can be booked using your Avios Points or directly on the Intercontinental website if you are not an Avios member and it’s worth looking out for packages that include breakfast and use of the exclusive Club Lounge. You can follow the Intercontinental Budapest on Twitter @ICBudapest and on their Intercontinental Budapest Facebook Page.

This article by Heather Cowper is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Visit the Monastery at Montserrat, Spain

A site of religious pilgrimage

The mountain, just northwest of Barcelona, brings around two million visitors each year on religious pilgrimage. Even if you are not religious, Montserrat is one place where a spiritual revelation of some kind is almost guaranteed. As the beating heart of Catalonia, it is just that special.

Over a thousand years ago, hermit monks walked the same paths that crisscross up the mountain today. When stepping on the mountain, you can feel the history in the air and the soil. Each path leads to a natural or historical wonder with views to satisfy any explorer. Head to the peak of Sant Jeroni, where you can see Spain glimmering in the sun in all directions. Or check out the Monastery, originally built in 1025, and then rebuilt in 1858, after Napoleon’s army burnt it down at the turn of the 17^th Century.

Hiker’s view of the Montserrat Monastery, Spain

Hiking on Montserrat Mountain

The wide varieties of stunning paths on Montserrat Mountain vary in length and difficulty. This makes it perfect for any traveler, whatever their hiking skill level. With numerous sets of steep rock stairs and paths that scale the side of the mountain, experienced hikers will find a challenge, while for new adventurers there are numerous short, shaded paths that encourage meditation, without working up too much of a sweat.

Hiking trails on Montserrat Mountain

For more information about visiting the Monastery at Montserrat, visit their website

My thanks for this guest article brought to you by BCN Travel – a local team that is dedicated to making your stay in Barcelona the best possible.

Photo credits: Montserrat by plsg77, Montserrat Mountain by kygp, other photos by BCN Travel.

More things to see and do in Barcelona

Barcelona: Portal to the Fantasy World of Gaudi
Where to find truly great tapas in Barcelona
Montjuïc in Barcelona – the hill that has it all

This article is originally published by Heather Cowper at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

What Sophie-Anne thought of Zalando

Any trip away deserves a new holiday wardrobe and my trip to Morocco was no different. The Zalando website was easy and enjoyable to browse, with many of my favourite brands such as Nike and Warehouse, as well as some less well-known brands that also offered an array of quality items. Zalando manages to cater for each customer’s desire or price range without losing the variety on offer. By using the helpful slider you can simply refine your choice to a certain item or price range so that you only see what interests you, an experience not found in a shop! In Morocco we were heading for Taghazout, a surfing hot spot so the “Beach & Surf” refining choice was extremely helpful.

At Paradise Valley, Sophie Anne models her Anna Field Tote Bag in White £19

Without much trouble I soon found a travel friendly Anna Field Beach bag. The bag was large enough to carry all my beach goodies such as towel, wetsuit and suncream but was able to fold up small enough for me to tuck it away in my luggage. The bag was also sturdy against the boiling sun and had a convenient mobile pocket where sand couldn’t reach. I found it so handy to have a bag where you could take everything you needed for a day trip with ease.

I also selected some big brand Vans trainers which became a dear friend, climbing over rocks on the beach, especially when my feet became too sunburnt for flip flops or sandals. Wearing them while travelling provided a comfy journey – the last thing you want on a long journey is uncomfortable shoes. I was surprised, in fact when the parcel was was delivered swiftly that my shoes were part of the parcel. The parcel was so compact that I thought the shoes might have been forgotten, but a clever packing scheme seemed to be in force at Zalando packing.

At Taghazout, Sophie Anne wears Villa Cleave Slim Fit Jeans in Turquoise £29 and Vans Trainers in white £40

I chose the Villa Cleave slim fit jeans due to their pastel colour. Not only had I wanted to get my hand on a pastel pair of jeans for some time but the light colour mean they would not become hot on my legs. In the evening when temperatures had cooled slightly, they were a perfect item. The simple yet stylish design meant I could wear them with most of my wardrobe, a necessity if you are travelling light.

The final item that I chose was a pretty red sundress with a detail back, which glowed due to its vibrant colour. Easy to throw on over a bikini at the beach or wear at supper in the evening, it was extremely versatile. The material was not flimsy at all but was still cool. I wore it on our trip to Paradise Valley, when we swam in waterfalls and pools and it looked especially nice against tanned skin. Overall the Zalando website has much to offer and the clothes I chose were of good quality for not too high a price, with plenty to entice a peckish eye or an avid traveller.

At Paradise Valley, Sophie-Anne wears Even & Odd Cocktail/Party Dress in Red £14 (Previously £34) with Anna Field Tote Bag in White £19. Heather wears Vero Moda Arty Print T-shirt in White £21

What Heather thought of Zalando

My initial impression of Zalando was that they specialised in young fashion but when I started browsing for myself I noticed the Premium range with some of the brands that I love, such as Orla Kiely and LK Bennett. After that I was rather kicking myself that I’d allowed Sophie-Anne to spend most of our budget on her choices, but I did manage to order a white and blue splash print T-shirt from Vera Moda. It fitted my desire to have something that was loose and easy to throw over a swimsuit and an inexpensive addition to refresh my holiday wardrobe.

On the beach at Taghazout, Heather wears Vero Moda Arty Print T-shirt in White £21

Browsing through the Zalando website, I found it easy and intuitive to narrow down the wide selection by brand, colour and price. I love the price slider as it helps you make the most of your budget if you want to buy several fun but inexpensive items for a holiday. After we’d made our purchases, I noticed that my browsing choices had been remembered and I got a couple of follow-up e-mails that featured some of the brands that I’d liked.

Once we made our choice, we also received e-mails keeping us up to date with the progress of our order which arrived within a few days. If something doesn’t fit or suit you there’s also a fuss free returns policy with free returns for up to 30 days, which takes away many of the worries of shopping online. With such a wide selection I know that you’ll find something for your holiday wardrobe, whether you’re a student like Sophie-Anne, wanting to look good on a budget, or a mum like me wanting to look stylish on holiday (and hopefully not outshone by her daughter).

What we chose from Zalando

Because the Zalando ranges change seasonally, I’ve just included product codes that you can search for, rather than links to the items.

Anna Field Tote Bag in White £19 AN651A023-003
Villa Cleave Slim Fit Jeans in Turquoise £29 V1021A01Y-608
Vans Trainers in white £40 VA2-uza-0212-02
Even & Odd Cocktail/Party Dress in Red £14 (Previously £34) EV421C01B-302
Vero Moda Arty Print T-shirt in White £21 VE121D0CS-501

Our Zalando Giveaway

Zalando have kindly given us a £100 voucher to give away to one of our readers. The voucher can be used to purchase anything you like from the Zalando.co.uk website (subject to availability). The voucher will be valid for 3 months from the end of the giveaway. Please note that this giveaway is only open to UK residents and deliveries are made to a UK address.

This giveaway has now ended – thanks to all who took part.

Congratulations to winner Stan T!

To enter this giveaway please use the Rafflecopter widget below with 4 chances to win;

1. Leave a comment below this post to tell us how you would love to spend your £100 Zalando voucher – are you planning for an upcoming holiday, do you have a big event that you’d like to look your best for? is there a particular brand or look that catches your eye?

To gain additional chances to win you can;

2. Tweet about this giveaway mentioning @Heathercowper and @Zalando_uk in your tweet, for example;

I’d love to choose my holiday wardrobe with the £100 voucher #giveaway @Heathercowper from @Zalando_uk

3. Follow @Heathercowper on Twitter

4. Follow @Zalando_uk on Twitter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions

Zalando kindly gave us the clothes mentioned to try out on our Moroccan holiday as well as the voucher for us to give away to one of our readers.

This article by Heather Cowper is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina

Patagonia

For some adventurous souls, Argentina’s southern state of Patagonia is the jumping off point for cruises to Antarctica. But there’s a lot more to this beautiful wilderness. Try heading down to the Los Glaciares National Park – filled with lakes, mountains and quaint local townships – for great treks and ice-walking. Crampon your way up the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno glacier and watch as huge blocks of ice falls away into the ocean as the glacier slowly advances into the water.

The Valdes Peninsula in Argentina

The Valdes Peninsula

It’s all about the wildlife in the Valdes Peninsula. Go offshore for some staggering whale-watching and feel the thrill as a humpback whale swims beneath your boat. A tour will also introduce you to some of the other residents of the area: orcas, dolphins, penguins, elephant seals and sea lions.

Street Cafes in Mendoza, Argentina

Mendoza

The kind of adventure on offer in Argentina is more of a gastronomic kind. Indulge in tours of the various wineries and dine at the indulgent in-house cafes and restaurants. Back in town, you can wander through the colonial plazas and leafy streets for a relaxing few days of fun.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina

The Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls is a sight to behold. From the Argentinian side of the falls you can thread your way above, below and through the waters and surrounding jungle on brilliantly designed wooden walkways. Because of this, it is sometimes said that ‘from the Brazilian side you see the falls, and from the Argentinian side you live them’. For a real taste of adventure, take a motorboat up to the very edge of the falling water – be deafened and drenched by the longest stretch of cascading water in the world!

Riding in the hills near Cordoba, Argentina

Cordoba

If you’re a huntin’, shootin’, fishin’ kinda gal or guy, you might want to try your hand at dove shooting. Cordoba – Argentina’s second largest city – is one of the best places in the world for this sport. Stay on a ranch for the ultimate experiences and trek, cycle or horse-ride up into the surrounding hills for magnificent views and a lungful of fresh air.

San Carlos de Bariloche

The Lake District

From the city of Bariloche travelers can explore the snow-capped Andes and lakes of this stunning part of the country. There’s plenty of hiking, fishing, golf and horse riding on offer in the area, as well as some glorious spas and luxury hotels. Particularly adventurous types might want to attempt the lake crossing from Bariloche across into Chile – but only if you don’t mind leaving Argentina behind!

This article was brought to you by the luxury travel experts at Exsus, specialists in arranging luxury, bespoke holidays in South and Central America as well as other adventurous destinations around the world.

Photo credits: Perito Moreno by Matito, Peninsula Valdes by Berlotti, Peatonal by betta design, Iguazu Falls by Malingering, Dos Lunas Estancia by longhorndave, and San Carlos de Bariloche by Miradas.com.br.

More tales from South America

South America Backpacking with Indie Travel Podcast
Relax and enjoy the cool lifestyle of Bahia in Brazil
Historic cities, natural beauty and a warm welcome in Colombia

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

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To subscribe to all my podcasts in ITunes click here
If you enjoyed this podcast, check out all my other Travel Podcasts in my Podcast Archive

La Carmina with her Scottish fold cat, Basil Farrow

An Introduction to La Carmina

La Carmina lives in Vancouver in Canada, although her family is originally from Hong Kong. As a child, she travelled widely in Asia with her family and started to fall in love with Japanese street style, the cute Hello Kitty culture, the punk and Gothic styles and Harajuku. Her experimentation with crazy fashion continued when she went to college in New York and she started blogging to share her photos and fashion style. Since then she has written books and worked on TV shows about Japanese street culture. You can follow her on her blog at La Carmina.

So what makes Tokyo unique and special?

There’s something for every type of traveller in Tokyo. Whether you love fashion and nightlife or whether you want to go for adventure or relax with the family, Tokyo has it all. The food is wonderful and the people are so nice. Of course it can be a bit of a culture shock – the movie Lost in Translation sums it up. It’s hustle and bustle, neon lights, and people don’t necessarily speak English so it can be a challenging place. But if you give Tokyo a try, it can be an eye opener and shock you out of your comfort zone.

La Carmina in Tokyo

Which areas should we explore in Tokyo?

Ideally you’ll want to stay a minimum of 5-7 days to explore some of the main Tokyo neighbourhoods as well as take some day trips. La Carmina recommends that people stay in Shinjuku, because it’s the hub for the famous subway system and the bullet train. Shinjuku is also an area where there are a lot of great restaurants and nightlife, and only one stop away on the subway is Harajuku, famous for the Harajuku girls who pose in their Gothic and Lolita fashions. Also nearby is Shibuya, where you’ll find shopping, the trendy Gal culture – it’s shopping central.

Getting around in Tokyo

The subway is the best way to get around unless you can afford the taxis, which are very expensive. If you’re not careful a 20 minute taxi ride could blow your entire budget for the week! On the other hand the subway works very well, the trains come very frequently and are always on time. However you need to remember that the subways stop running between 1am and 5 am so if you are going out late, make sure you have a ride back or you plan to stay out all night, otherwise you could get stuck.

Harajuku girls in Tokyo

Tips on Japanese etiquette

Everyone knows that the Japanese are very polite and always bowing, so when in Tokyo you should try not to be too loud. On the subway it’s considered rude to speak on your mobile phone – you can text message but otherwise you should only be whispering. The subway is not the place for you to be chattering loudly with your friends. Then there’s food etiquette, for instance you should not put your chopsticks into the bowl of rice so they stick up vertically, as this is a symbol of death and you don’t want to be thinking of death as you eat.

How do you describe your fashion style?

My look is influenced by so many Japanese street styles. There are so many different tribes and fashion sub-groups that have a particular fashion outlook. For example there are the J-Rocker or Visual Kei group, then there are the Goths, the Punks, and also groups that only exist in Japan like the Mori girls who look like antique dolls that live in the forest like Hansel and Gretel. It’s fascinating to walk through Harajuku and see the stores that carry these designs and see the teenagers all dressed up. I personally like to mix up all these styles, but I don’t associate with any particular one group or style as I find them all fascinating. I like to find my own personal style and I don’t like having rules for ways to dress. Sometimes these fashion sub groups are very strict about wearing things a certain way and that’s not for me.

Harajuku and street fashions in Tokyo

Harajuku – the place to see and be seen

I love Harajuku, it’s a great place to go, even if you’re not into fashion. It’s a wonderful place to people watch, to just sit in a cafe and check out the scene. I’d recommend taking the train to Harajuku station and go down Takeshita-dori, which is a narrow street with a colourful arch over it. Down there you’ll find all these bizarre, quirky, wonderful stores, that sell toy accessories, colourful bracelets, crazy stockings. Walk through there and browse around. There’s also the famous Jingu Bashi bridge in Harajuku, where young people come in their flamboyant costumes and styles to pose for photos. It isn’t as popular a hangout as it used to be but you’ll still see people there, especially on Sundays. You can’t go wrong if you stop in Harajuku and walk around – you’ll see crazy fashions and you’ll find something funny to buy.

Shibuya for crazy clothes shopping

Shibuya is also a wonderful place to go, especially if you’re into Gyaru or Gal fashion. For this style, the girls might have bleached blonde hair and wear shorts and boots; it’s a trendy celebrity style and a lot of them have big doll-like eye-lashes. The main hub for these shops is a place called Shibuya 109 which is a craziest department store you’ll ever set foot in. Once you walk inside, there are tons of little shops, each blasting techno music, it’s a total assault on the senses. These cute Japanese shop girls are yelling at you to come into their store and try on the clothes. You wander around and see everything from hip hop to trendy to doll-like fashions. You’ll find Shibuya 109 by the big red sign when you step out of the Shibuya subway station.

Cute Lolita fashions in Tokyo

Designer fashion or vintage in Tokyo

If you’re more into the high end fashions, then go to Omotesandō, which is also in Harajuku, just a few blocks away from the station. Ginza is also famous for being the ritzy part of Tokyo, you can find some beautiful fashions there from all over the world and I’ve seen some gorgeous kimonos on sale there. If you’re into bohemian, vintage and young hippy fashion, there’s a neighbourhood called Shimokitazawa, that not many first time visitors know about. It has a really laid back atmosphere, and feels a bit like college town with lots of cafes, tons of vintage stores and you can get some pretty good deals.

Cute inexpensive souvenirs

All my friends are happy when I bring back souvenirs from the 100 Yen stores, which are like dollar stores in the USA. However, where dollar stores can have a reputation for being full of junk, the 100 yen stores are full of colourful, unique gismos. You can get everything from cute stationary to bizarre cleaning products such as sponges shaped like teddy bears. When you buy something in these stores to give to a friend, they think, Wow! only in Japan. The most famous 100 Yen store is called Daiso and there’s a big one in Harajuku, where you’ll find an amazing selection of things you’ll love.

Japanese foods to try when out and about in Tokyo

A lot of travellers know about the typical Japanese food like Sushi and Ramen which you can find everywhere. For a unique experience try the vending machines, where if you want to buy a bowl of Ramen or hot noodles, you would  punch in your order then get a ticket which you give to the cook to make your order. With Sushi you can go from the most high end $100 a meal to conveyor belt sushi, and although it’s inexpensive, you’re in Tokyo so you know the quality will be amazing.

Food in Tokyo’s theme restaurants

Quick bites on a budget

If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat on a budget, try the convenience stores. In the West nobody would dare to eat there but in Japan you can find delicious foods in the 7-Eleven stores. For instance, they serve rice balls with intriguing fillings such as plum or fish eggs and although you only spend $1-2 on these they can be a delicious and filling meal. They don’t have any place to eat inside, but are full of little take-out boxes for rice balls and tofu platters. There are convenience stores on every block in major neighbourhoods, so stop by and grab something that will make a cheap and delicious meal.

Theme restaurants in Tokyo

The Theme restaurants in Tokyo are an  immersive experience - it’s as if you are entering a theatre world and you are part of the play. Take the Monster Theme Restaurant which I went to quite a few times. As soon as you walk inside you are surrounded by jail cells, the waitress is wearing a skimpy nurse uniform and she handcuffs you, then she leads you to your table which is inside a jail cell and locks you up. Then when your waiter comes and you order a drink it might come in the form of a syringe or a bedpan and while you’re eating, the monsters would run around, the lights would go off and the monsters would pop into your jail cell and scare you. It’s completely over the top and you are a part of the experience.

To be honest the food is not the main draw, although it has got better as theme restaurants continue to pop up, creating more competition, so the restaurants started to put more emphasis on the quality of the food. The main thing that distinguishes the food is how quirky it is and how well it fits the theme. For example there’s something called Russian Roulette Takuyaki which are octopus balls. You would be served 6 octopus balls but one would be filled with Wasabi which is green horseradish paste, which if you bite into it your head would explode. Everyone would take one octopus ball but the victim would be the one running to the bathroom, sweating all over.

Food in Tokyo’s theme restaurants

Sounds scary, but where can I eat with my family?

There are all sorts of theme restaurants and not all are frightening. Some have a fairytale theme, for instance, there are Princess cafes where the guys would treat you like a princess, they put a crown on your head and bend to your every whim. There are Cat cafes and Dog cafes that pet lovers would love. In a Cat cafe you will have a dozen little kitty cats running around and you can play with them; you can hang out and drink your coffee and eat your cake with cats all around you. In Japan there’s very little space in apartments for people to have pets, or they work too long hours, so a Cat cafe is a great way for them to have a pet for a few hours. On the other hand the dog cafe is where you bring your dog, and you can eat at the same table as your dog and dress them up, and even eat the same food as they prepare food that is edible for canines and humans.

Which Theme restaurant do you suggest for teenagers?

Teenagers might love the Ninja restaurant – you walk through secret passageways as if you were in a hidden Japanese cave, and the Ninjas are doing acrobatics and magic tricks at your table. They might serve you a desert shaped like a frog, or an appetiser where the fire travels down a string until it hits the appetiser which bursts into flames. Theme restaurants are also very popular with groups of friends and co-workers in Japan, as it gives them a chance to hang out and also something to talk about.

For a group night out my favourite restaurant is Kagaya, and it’s impossible to describe if you don’t want to ruin the surprise, let’s just say that when you walk in it seems like a homey little restaurant/bar and the owner seems perfectly normal until he pops into a closet and comes hopping out, dressed in a frog costume, it’s a bit of a surreal performance art. It’s completely unpredictable, there are gags everywhere. He’ll serve you beer and then the beer starts shaking so you can’t drink your beer – that’s just one of the 50 surprises that will happen all evening.

Food in Tokyo’s theme restaurants

How about bars and nightlife in Tokyo?

A lot of tourists go to Roppongi and although I can’t especially recommend it, it’s the Disneyland version of Tokyo. If you want to hang out with other foreigners then Roppongi is the place where people let loose, but the locals don’t really go there. It reminds me of a Las Vegas environment.

Another fun area is called Golden Gai in Shinjuku, it’s a series of little streets packed with tiny bars, where you might only fit three people inside and each one may have something unique about it. One has a punk theme, another a Gothic theme and some offer Karaoke, so that could be an interesting place to bar-hop. If you want to try drinking something that’s uniquely Japanese, try the Sake or the Soju which are the rice wines. I personally love cocktails that use a Yusu flavour, it’s a Japanese citrus which is a cross between an orange and a lemon, it has a distinctive taste and it’s very hard to get outside Japan, so be sure to check if they have any drinks that have a Yusu flavour on the drinks menu.

Where should I go clubbing in Tokyo?

For clubbing it depends what kind of music you like, and the sub group you associate with – there’s an amazing music scene in Tokyo. They bring in DJs from around the world so whether you’re into techno or into hip hop there will be a fascinating scene for you. I personally love the Gothic and alternative parties which are centred in Shinjuku, and my two favourites are called Midnight Mess and Tokyo Decadance. At the parties they play everything from classic Gothic to Industrial to Synth pop and everyone dresses up in these flamboyant, elegant Gothic costumes, they are some of the best parties I’ve been to ever, On the extreme side there are fetish and experimental nightlife events as well, especially one called Department H, inside you’ll see people in head to toe handmade costumes and body-moders who do extreme modifications like snake tongues and temporary piercings all over their body or even bagel heads.

Sorry, did you say Snake tongues and Bagel heads?

Yes, a snake tongue is when you split your tongue in half, so that it now has two points instead of one, and the two points can flip back and forth or dart in and out like a snake. There are other temporary forms of body modification, for instance I’ve seen some people who get their mouth sewn shut; it’s a half fetish, half body modification thing.There are  also suspensions, where people have metal hooks inserted into their backs, and then they are suspended above the ground and they can swing back and forth. Extreme as they are, these effects are temporary. In a society like Japan people can’t go around in the streets with permanent body modifications and there’s a great stigma against tattoos in particular, as they are associated with the criminal culture, that’s why temporary modifications can be pretty popular at these events.

The bagel heads are created where you place a needle under the skin of your forehead and drip saline solution into the skin, so that your forehead bulges out into a bubble shape, then you press your thumb into the centre of the bubble so that it creates a doughnut or bagel like shape, which lasts for around one day. (Although La Carmina hasn’t had a bagel head done herself, her company worked on four TV shows about bagel heads) If you get a bagel head done in Japan, although it looks extreme, they use sterile solution and are very experienced and qualified.

Dressing up for a scary night out in Tokyo

So where do I get my party outfit?

I think people in Tokyo are very creative with their outfits. I have friends who go into 100 Yen stores and create costumes out of surprising materials there; they might use a plant or a broom, or fake flowers to create an incredible costume. There are plenty of costume stores especially in the district called Akihabara, where all the geeks go, as it’s a centre of electronics, video games and comic books. However, even though you see these crazy costumes in photos, not everyone dresses up, for instance some people if they go to a Gothic party would just wear all black.

Out for the night in Tokyo

Any other places I could take the family for a unique Tokyo experience?

One area that is fun for all ages, but especially families and kids is Odaiba, it’s the Tokyo port on the east side, right by the ocean and not that many first time visitors know about it. It’s a great little half day trip where you take the subway there, and there are a number of different attractions. There are a few museums and as is typical in Japan, there’s a theme everything. For instance there is a cat petting zoo, similar to a cat cafe except that you only go there to play and pet cats. There’s a gigantic video game centre with every video game you could think of, there are giant robot panda bears that you can put a coin in and ride on the back of the Panda bear, there’s a Rainbow bridge and a Little Hong Kong, It’s an indoor recreation of Hong Kong, you walk inside and you see neon signs and Chinese restaurants and even sound effects like the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong – everything but the smells!

Where to find La Carmina

My thanks to La Carmina for sharing her tips on all the cool and quirky things to see and do in Tokyo. You can find more about every aspect of Tokyo culture on La Carmina’s blog and on Twitter @LaCarmina on the La Carmina Facebook Page and watch some cool travel and fashion videos on the La Carmina Youtube Channel

La Carmina’s Books

For more information about the Tokyo Theme Restaurants, you can read La Carmina’s book on Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo and Cute Yummy Time with 70 recipes for the cutest food you’ll ever eat.

Photo: All photos are copyright of La Carmina

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Free Museums and Galleries in London

Despite being classed as an expensive city, many people fail to remember the amount of activities you can actually do for nothing. Not even taking into account the endless number of parks or great architecture – there are loads of museums and galleries you can enjoy without having to pay a single penny. Although small donations are often encouraged, the National Gallery, Science Museum, Natural History Museum and the British Museum are all completely free to enter.

The Natural History Museum, London

 Eat at local food markets

Although an affordable meal in London is easy to find, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be an enjoyable one. If you’ve had your fill of pizza chains and high street clones but can’t afford a step up in price (and quality), try checking out the growing trend in street food. With places like Borough Market and Whitecross Street Markets selling affordable but downright delicious grub, it could also be your chance to sample some new and worldly cuisine.

Bread stall at Borough Market in London

Search for sightseeing passes

If you are interested in visiting some of London’s famous tourist spots, think about investing in a pass to help save you money on entrance fees. With some passes allowing you access to over sixty different tourist attractions, if you’re planning on being a real culture vulture, it can end up being a real cost effective option. Alternatively, if you’re only interested in visiting a few select places, search for specific discount vouchers online. For example, despite its location outside of the centre of London, Kew Gardens is one of the best destinations around; with Virgin Experience days discounts you could now take advantage of a three course meal and entrance-fee combination for less than a hundred pounds.

Kew Gardens in London

Alternatives to the West End shows

Although many people are drawn to the bright lights of the West End, it’s likely to be a lot more expensive than elsewhere in the city. Unless you’re paying a visit to the best eateries in Soho (and there are some real gems) we’d suggest getting your theatre fix somewhere a little off the beaten track. Instead of paying out for tickets to a musical, try searching for tickets to a play at somewhere like the Leicester Square Theatre or even for a show in the comedy circuit. That way, you’ll avoid the big price tag and still be able to enjoy a slice of great entertainment.

Theatreland, London

Whatever you fancy doing whilst in London, there are many ways to avoid constantly paying out. By simply being a bit astute about where you spend your money, you could end up enjoying a trip to remember!

These tips on visiting London on a budget were brought to you by MyVoucherCodes, providing discount vouchers for restaurants, hotels and things to see around the UK

More information about the free places in London mentioned in this article

The National Gallery Website
The Natural History Museum Website
The Science Museum Website
The British Museum Website
Borough Market Website
Kew Gardens Website

More things to do in London

High in the Treetops at Kew Gardens
Your guide to the vintage markets of London
Three great ways to spend a day in London

Photos Credit: London Theaterland by Llamnudds on Flickr other photos by Heatheronhertravels.com

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Heather at the final pool and waterfall at Paradise Valley

I hope you enjoy my travel video below of our day at Paradise Valley, near Agadir in Morocco

If you can’t see the travel video above about Paradise Valley, Morocco, view it on my blog here or on Youtube here

Of course like every organised excursion there was a stop along the way, but fortunately not to someone’s brother-in-law’s carpet shop. We stopped on the road between Aourir and Paradise Valley at an Argan oil co-operative, where the ladies gave us a quick demonstration of how the shells of the Argan nuts are broken open with a stone, then their brown outer coating peeled off to reveal the white nut. For cooking oil the brown kernels are ground into a paste and dried into a cake which is then pressed to make oil for cooking, while the white inner nut is pressed for the more refined cosmetic oil for face and hair.

The Argan oil co-operative on the way to Paradise Valley

The Argan trees are only grown in the south of Morocco and each nut just gives out a few drops of oil, making the Argan oil highly prized but expensive. Unless you are buying from a reliable source, beware of fakes and blends that are being sold as pure Argan oil. Needless to say, my daughter and I stocked up on a few small bottles of the Argan oil to try at home in the hope of having even more lustrous hair and soft skin. At the back of the showroom was a lovely botanic garden, where all the medicinal herbs and plants were labelled and laid out in beds with paths between, so we enjoyed our wander around before continuing our drive.

Botanic Garden at the Argan Oil Centre on the way to Paradise Valley

As we drove on up the valley, we found the landscape becoming more arid, as we passed into the foothills of the Atlas mountains. We arrived at a small car park with attendants (you will almost always have to pay for parking in Morocco, as much for people to “keep an eye” on your car as anything) and there was also an orange juice stall at the start of the path. Loaded with water and swimming gear, we started hiking up the path, which tracked above the river, then snaked down to a place where we had to cross on stepping stones. There were a few small open air cafes around where locals who live in the village of Immouzzer-Ida-Outanane up the valley have made small businesses to serve food to the groups coming to the valley.

Treking at the start of Paradise Valley, Morocco

We’d arranged the trip to Paradise Valley with Surf n Stay who we’d booked our apartment through and regularly organise these trips including a guide, transport, breakfast and a traditional tagine meal at the end of the day. First we stopped at the small enclosure with bamboo walls and low tables and carpet covered benches where our Moroccan host was waiting for us. The blackened kettle was boiling over the open fire and we were brought mint tea and flatbread which we dipped in honey and Amlou, a sweet paste made from honey, ground almonds and Argan oil, a bit like peanut butter.

The first swimming place at Paradise Valley

After our late breakfast, we walked on for  five minutes to the where the river started to make shallow pools and also some deeper ones where you could jump off the rocks. There was already a large group who had come from Taghazout, who had settled in for sunbathing on the smooth rocks, with much cheering and squealing as people jumped off the high rocks into one of the deeper pools. Will, our guide from Surf n Stay suggested that we walk on to the next pool where we were likely to have a quieter time and have the pool to ourselves. It seemed as if most of the groups never get past this first swimming area, so if you visit Paradise Valley, be sure to ask your guide to take you to some of the other pools higher up the valley, which are even more beautiful.

The first swimming place at Paradise Valley

Ten minutes walk later and we arrived at a place where the cliffs rose into a gorge, which created a bowl around an area of deep blue water. There were places on the cliffs where you could jump or dive off from high up, which Will demonstrated by diving straight into the water, and my kids soon followed while I captured them on video. Those who weren’t so daring could scramble down the smooth side of the rock to some ledges nearer the water and go for a swim from there. I was so busy taking photos that I missed my chance to scramble down the rocks and swim before we were off to the next set of pools even higher up the valley, leaving the less energetic of our group here to relax.

Heather at the second swimming place at Paradise Valley, Morocco

We picked our way over the boulders and rubble for another 15 minutes past a series of pools and cascades, until we came to a point where you had to wade thigh deep through a pool to get to the other side.To avoid my camera and Iphone getting a dunking, I passed all my bags to our guide, Will, who put them safely in his rucksack so that I only had to worry about making sure I didn’t fall over in the water. If you are planning to walk right up the valley to the highest pools, it’s a good idea to have trainers that you don’t mind getting wet, although at a pinch you can get by with flip flops.

Blue pools at the top of Paradise Valley, Morocco

On the other side the way led to more shallow blue pools, perfect for swimming and one final pool through which you could swim to reach a waterfall with a perfect plunge pool beneath.

Swimming at the final waterfall at Paradise Valley, Morocco

We were lucky to see the final waterfall flowing, as the river level is now much lower than it has been in the past, due to the water being used for irrigation. Fortunately, there had been several days of rain in the mountains before we arrived, so we saw the waterfall in full flow and could swim up to it, walk behind it and jump in the plunge pool beneath. We were told that these pools are only full at certain times, mainly in the springtime and later in the year they dry up.

Looking back down Paradise Valley, Morocco

After swimming for half an hour, we walked back down the valley with a full view of the pools and cascades flowing down the rocky gorge. It was a wonderful experience and we felt lucky to have seen this valley which really seemed like a little bit of Paradise.

Enjoying our Moroccan tagine at Paradise Valley, Morocco

Back down at the head of the valley after a couple of hours, we stopped again at the small hut where a tagine had been cooked for us over coals from the open fire, placed under the conical clay pot. The meat and vegetable tagine was really tasty and a lovely way to end our day in Paradise Valley. The Moroccan way to eat the tagine is as a shared dish in the centre of the table where you use your hand and the flat-bread to scoop up the pieces of vegetables, meat and sauce, although we found this a bit tricky so asked for forks and plates to help us. After relaxing a while with our tagine, we continued our walk back to the car park by a different route that avoided crossing the river and took us on a high path looking down on the river and small settlements with palm trees below.  A visit to Paradise Valley is a fantastic day out and  one that I highly recommend, especially if you are there in the spring time when the pools and waterfalls are most likely to be full of water.

More tales from our Moroccan surfing holiday in Taghazout

Life’s a beach – watching the surfers in Taghazout, Morocco
A scrub and massage in the hammam in Agadir, Morocco

Planning your visit to Paradise Valley

We visited Paradise Valley as a day trip from Taghazout with Surf n Stay who we had rented our apartment through. They regularly take groups of their guests on this trip, but welcome others too, so if you are based in Taghazout, you can contact them through their website at SurfnStay.net or e-mail them at surfnstaymorocco@gmail.com or ring one of the contact numbers listed on their website (everyone speaks English). The day trip with Surf n Stay cost 250 Dirhams per person ($30, €23, £20) and covered transport from Taghazout with a guide, breakfast and a Moroccan tagine at the end. Other companies that you stay with in Taghazout may also offer similar trips to Paradise Valley.

If you want to visit Paradise Valley on your own, the best way is to hire a car. I have not looked into public transport options, but suspect that if you travel by local bus, you would have to plan more than one day in the area with an overnight stay, whereas with your own car it is an easy day trip. To reach Paradise Valley you drive south along the coast road from Taghazout or north along the coast road from Agadir until you reach the coastal village of Aourir, also known as Banana Village because local bananas are sold here on roadside stalls. At the roundabout on the main road (where there are 3 ATM machines, so worth a stop for cash) you take the road that leads inland and follow it for 30-40 minutes. You will pass the Argan Oil showroom, and a number of roadside stalls selling large fossils and ceramics. As I remember (although I was not driving) there was only one road and you follow it until the landscape starts to become rocky and barren and passes through a gorge area and then soon after you will see the car park on the right and a sign for Paradise Valley. You will be directed where to park in the small parking area for which there is a charge, and there is an information sign about the valley. I believe that the same road continues up the valley to the town of Immouzzer-Ida-Outanane where there are some hotels, if you need accommodation. The drive from Taghazout took around 45 minutes and I believe it is roughly the same from Agadir.

Note about Jimi Hendrix at Paradise Valley

I noticed that many guide books and websites had references to Jimi Hendrix naming Paradise Valley or even writing a song about it. However, when I did a bit more research about this I found that these stories were more folklore than fact, after I read this article. I contacted the author and learned that although Jimi Hendrix loved Morocco, he had only visited once on holiday in July 1969 when he stayed for 7-10 days. He spent time in Casablanca, Marrakech and Essaouira (which is around 3 hours further north up the coast) staying in nice hotels with his friends and almost certainly did not visit Paradise Valley, nor could I find any details of any songs that he wrote about the area.

This article by Heather Cowper is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

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The Lynmouth to Lynton cliff railway

The Cliff Railway

The history of the railway dates back to the late 19th century and it still operates in very much the same way is has for over a hundred years. Along the 862 foot track, railway passengers will be gifted with one of the most beautiful views in all of England. Both Lynton and Lynmouth have plenty to offer tourists in terms of English village charm, cultural attractions and natural surroundings. Visitors making the train ride up to Lynton can enjoy the scenic walking trails, most notably to the famous Valley of Rocks. The easy 20 minute trek reveals North Devon in all its glory and has become popular with tourists thanks to the herd of feral goats who make their home here. True to its name, the valley is also home to stunning rock formations.

Valley Of The Rocks near Lynton in Devon

Craft Shops and Cream teas

A charming ambiance and friendly locals make Lynton the perfect place to get away from it all. Visitors can choose from a good selection of local tea shops and eateries where they can enjoy true Devonshire cream tea among other things. Lynton is also full of great shops to explore. Crafting enthusiasts will not want to miss the Lyn Valley Art and Crafts, which is filled with beautifully handcrafted jewellery, ceramics and accessories. It is located on the site of an old church and focuses almost solely on goods made locally.

Lyn Valley Art and Crafts in Devon

Down on the beach at Lynmouth

Down in Lynmouth, the beach is hard to resist. The shallow waters surrounding the town are ideal for rock pooling. When the tide is low the sea uncovers a wide range of shore crabs, anemones, periwinkles, limpets and mussels in a variety of sizes, colours and textures. Advanced surfers will also find that the waves around this part of North Devon are some of the best in the UK. Those who are looking to get on the water can partake in one of the many boat excursions departing from Lynmouth Quay daily. Boat trips typically last an hour or so, and show off the Exmoor coastline well.

Lynmouth Harbour in Devon

Tourists have been attracted to Lynmouth and Lynton for well over a century and it’s easy to see why. The two charming villages could not be better situated to highlight the true natural beauty of the English coastline. The tallest cliffs in the country are located here and fall dramatically into a deep blue sea teeming with colourful sea life. The towns are as charming as the scenery and along with the fresh sea breeze; tourists will be greeted with the smiling faces of locals as they are more than happy to share their slice of paradise with the world.

Author Bio:  Many thanks for this Guest Post to Karen Orson who has worked in travel and tourism for over a decade. While travelling the world through South America and Asia, she has always called Devon her home.  Returning to her roots, Karen now works with Highcliffe House , a boutique guest house in the village of Lynton.

Photo credits: Railway by Lizsmith, Valley Of The Rocks by xlibber, Lyn Valley Art and Crafts by yrrek, and Lynmouth Harbour by ebygomm.

More things to enjoy in Devon and Cornwall

Cliff walks and country houses – in Cornwall (and a bit of Devon)
Hunting the Ash-black slug on Dartmoor – in Devon
Wet and Wild Adventures on Dartmoor – staying at Woodovis Park – video

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

I am reassured to find that our friends at Surf n Stay in Taghazout have planned a visit to the Hammam in Agadir and that we can tag along; that’s me, my teenage daughter and two sons (my husband being laid low with an upset tummy). Like yoga, I’ve discovered that in Morocco, going to the Hammam is something that both men and women can enjoy, so I’m keen for my sons to try out this experience and not think that it’s too girly for them. It’s worth knowing, however, that in a Hammam, men and women get treated completely separately, so my daughter and I are ushered into one room, while the boys head upstairs to a completely different section and we don’t see each other until it’s all finished an hour or two later. Luckily my boys are accompanied by a couple of other beefy surfers so they aren’t all alone.

Heather relaxes after visiting the Hammam in Agadir

We girls are shown into a large treatment room with six treatment tables, powder blue walls and a decorative plasterwork ceiling with geometric Islamic motifs. We change into our bikinis and then put on the towelling robes and plastic slippers that have been laid out for us, climbing the stairs again to small hammam room with domed ceiling and green and white chequerboard tiles. On three sides of the room are tiled ledges, just wide enough for us to lie down, with hot and cold taps on the fourth wall.

Sitting on the plastic mats that cover the heated ledges, we first have plastic containers of hot water poured all over us by the two female attendants assigned to us, wearing white beautician’s overalls and black headscarves. They motion us to lie down on the ledge, but my plastic mat is rather thin and I can feel the heat burning through it, so I move to the other ledge where there is no heating.

The treatment room at the Hammam in Agadir

Next we are soaped thoroughly from head to foot until we are slick as baby seals and are left lying down to sweat for a while. Soon the attendants return, put on a rubber massage mit and give us a head to toe scrubbing. It feels as if sand is being rubbed all over my body and even my face gets a gentle scrub. After being polished and exfoliated and I can feel the blobs of dead skin on my legs and arms, then we are washed down again with buckets of water, which are tipped over our heads. Any efforts to look my best, with make up and blow dried hair have been unceremoniously washed away.

After our wash down we are handed back our robes and descend to the massage room and I hold on tight to the hand-rail as my feet still feel slippery from the soap. As we lie down on the treatment tables the ladies check how we would like our full body massage; relaxing, hard or inbetween. I choose in between, thinking I may as well get a bit of massage benefit while my daughter chooses relaxing. Every so often I hear a slurp as if a pat of butter is being softened up but it’s actually a dispenser of oil that is being used for the massage.There’s just the right amount of pressure and kneading during my full body massage and it feels like little patterns are being traced on the soles of my feet.

After the massage is over, we are left for a while with damp cotton pads over our eyes until the attendants return to towel dry us. Even so, we’re still pretty slippery as if we’ve been soused in body lotion. Glasses of mint tea are brought for us to drink while we dress and then we go downstairs where there’s a showroom full of bottle of argan oil and face creams. My face is still soft and creamy hours later.

Tips for visiting the Hammam

If you are new to this experience, ask your hotel to recommend a reputable hammam that is used to dealing with tourists and to make an appointment for your massage.

It’s a waste of time putting on make-up and doing your hair before you go, as it will all be scrubbed or washed off by the end.

Wear a bikini but be prepared to remove your top during the scrub down and massage if you’re not too self-conscious about that sort of thing.

Men and women will be treated in separate Hammam and treatment rooms, so it’s worth going with a group of same sex friends. If you go as a couple, check whether you will be separated, as it could be a bit lonely.

Our visit to the Hammam lasted around 2 hours including the scrub-down in the hammam and full body massage and cost 350 Moroccan Dirhams (£27/€31/$40)

We visited the Hammam at N17, rue 373, Elkasbahe,Hay Elhassani, Agadir, Morocco. For more information about their Argan oil products, visit the website at www.elixir-argan.com

More tales from Taghazout

Life’s a beach – watching the surfers at Taghazout – Morocco
Paradise Valley – blue pools and waterfalls in Morocco – video

Where we stayed in Taghazout, Morocco

We stayed in Taghazout in an apartment rented through Surf n Stay, an Irish/Moroccan outfit run by Chris and his team who will help you with everything that you need to enjoy your stay in Taghazout; they’ll rent you an apartment, arrange airport transfer, car hire, surfboard rental and fix anything else you need.

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels